The Full Participation of Black Communities in Québec Society

Shared Values,
Common Interests
The Full Participation
of Black Communities
in Québec Society
Consultation Document
August 2005

This document was prepared by the Direction générale des relations
interculturelles and produced by the Direction des affaires publiques et
des communications of the Ministère de l’Immigration et des
Communautés culturelles.
Édifice Gérald-Godin
360, rue McGill, bureau 2.09
Montréal (Québec) H2Y 2E9
Telephone: (514) 873-8624, ext. 20205
Internet site: www.micc.gouv.qc.ca
Legal deposit – 2005
ISBN : Printed document: 2-550- 45248-8
Digital version: 2-550- 45249-6
© Government of Québec – 2005
All rights reserved for all countries
Also available in French.

A WORD FROM THE MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION AND CULTURAL
COMMUNITIES
For a number of years now, the Government of Québec has
been working to promote the integration and full participation
of citizens of all origins in Québec society. The contribution of
immigrants in all spheres of activity in Québec is now
indisputable and our society is becoming increasingly open to
diversity. Moreover, the face of Québec has changed
significantly in the past few decades and the integration of
newcomers into the host society has generally been
harmonious. Their participation has undeniably enriched and
strengthened Québec, which is expecting to face serious
demographic and economic challenges in the future.
That being said, members of the black communities, including
those born in Québec and who have lived here for more than a generation, face more challenges
than other Quebecers in developing their full potential. Many of them are confronted with specific
difficulties in areas such as employment, academic achievement, youth issues, and
underrepresentation in decision-making positions or are the targets of discriminatory attitudes
and behaviour. Their talent, determination and training are not always sufficient to overcome
these obstacles.
Building a pluralist and inclusive Québec is a key priority for the Government of Québec. Thus, by
establishing a parliamentary Task Force, chaired by my parliamentary assistant Yolande James,
MNA for Nelligan, it wants to impart a decisive impetus to the search for solutions to the
problems experienced by Quebecers from black communities, in order to facilitate their full
participation in Québec society.
The Task Force will consult the various stakeholders concerned with the experiences of the black
communities, in the lead will be community representatives, as well as economic, health,
educational and judicial institutions and organizations. It will also consult citizens interested in
expressing their opinions.
I invite you to read this consultation document, which has been prepared to stimulate your
thoughts on the issue and to fuel future discussions. The Task Force members will be visiting
different regions throughout Québec this fall to meet with you and hear your comments. If you
are unable to attend these meetings, you may forward your comments to the website of the
Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles.
Lise Thériault
Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities
Montréal, August 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................1
Findings and Challenges..........................................................................................................5
Portrait of Québec’s black communities today ...........................................................................6
FIRST ORIENTATION: SUPPORTING ECONOMIC SUCCESS...................................................... 10
Strategic choice: Improve labour market integration ......................................................... 10
Strategic choice: Develop entrepreneurship ...................................................................... 13
SECOND ORIENTATION: CONSOLIDATING FAMILY STRUCTURES AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ........ 15
Strategic choice: Ensure the social success of black youth ................................................. 15
Strategic choice: Improve the social integration of women and families.............................. 18
Strategic choice: Provide families with a residential environment conducive to family life..... 19
THIRD ORIENTATION: DEVELOPING SOCIAL CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS .............................. 21
Strategic choice: Raise public awareness of the black communities’ situation and their
contribution to the development of Québec ...................................................................... 22
Strategic choice: Promote the exercise of rights and effectively fight discrimination ............ 24
Strategic choice: Promote a better participation of black communities in Québec
community life................................................................................................................ 26
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................ 29
REGISTRATION FORMS......................................................................................................... 37

Introduction
Despite the occasional presence of blacks since the beginning of colonization in New France, a
genuine black population 1 in Québec did not emerge until the early 18th century. The growth of
the population accelerated with the advent of the 20th century, particularly during the 1970’s
where expansion was enriched by an influx of migrants originating first from the Caribbean and
later from Africa.
The black population has participated in the cultural, scientific and institutional development of
Québec, particularly in the areas of health and education, and helped shape Montréal’s
international reputation as a cultural metropolis. At the beginning of the 20th century, black jazz
musicians were already livening up the city’s cultural scene. 2 Each year, contemporary events like
Vues d’Afrique, Carifiesta and International Creole Day in Montreal attract hundreds of thousands
of spectators.
The black population has also demonstrated its attachment to Canada by assisting in its defence.
Black soldiers were among the troops that repelled the American inv asion in 1812, while others
fought in the Canadian forces in both world wars.
A segment of the black population, particularly its more educated members, was quickly able to
fully participate in life in Québec, accessing the labour market at a time when conditions were
particularly favourable. Others have encountered more hurdles along their career path or in
pursuit of academic studies and find it difficult to take their rightful place in Québec society.
For many years, the Government of Québec has made numerous efforts to promote the
integration of newcomers and the full participation of members of the cultural communities,
including the black communities. In the last decade, the Ministère de l’Immigration et des
Communautés culturelles has supported various initiatives targeting the black communities.
These communities have also had access to programs for immigrants or visible minorities in
general.
Despite these efforts, the issues faced by part of the black communities remain acute and
persistent. Solutions must be part of a broader and more consistent framework of action. Above
all, they must involve more closely various elements of civil society, which also have a
responsibility towards their fellow citizens belonging to ethnocultural minorities.
The aim of this consultation process is to identify, with the black communities among others, the
challenges confronting black residents in the Montréal metropolitan area, the National Capital and
other regions, and to find ways to help them meet these challenges. Known issues will be
presented in order to verify their current relevance and to serve as topics for consideration .
This consultation process falls within the scope of the duties carried out by the Ministère de
l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles to promote the full participation of all in Québec
society . It is also consistent with and complementary to the 2004-2007 government Action Plan,
Shared Values, Common Interests, of which one of the five pillars is to promote openness and
diversity in Québec society. One of the measures put forward by the Action Plan requires that
1
In this document, the term “black population” is used to indicate all persons who consider themselves black and have
reported themselves as such in the census. When this population is considered in terms of identity, culture, social and
community life, it is more appropriate to use the term “black communities.”
2
Ministère des Affaires internationales, de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles and ministère de l’Éducation, La
présence des Noirs dans la société québécoise d’hier et d’aujourd’ hui (The presence of blacks in Québec society past and
present), Gover nment of Québec, 1995.
1

diagnostics be made of the specific difficulties encountered by cultural communities and that
action plans be developed that are adapted to their experience. This consultation among
Québec’s black communities is part of this process.
A distinction should be made between the challenges inherent to the integration of immigrants
newly settled in Québec and those related to the achievement of full participation in society. The
latter bear upon all citizens from cultural communities. This distinction, which is based on the
wording of the Act respecting the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles,
especially sections 4 and 5, is reflected in the measures implemented by the Ministry.
The Government of Québec provides a range of services that are available to newcomers over a
five-year period. These include welcoming, job search and francization services, as well as an
evaluation of studies done outside Québec and information sessions. Moreover, these various
services have been consolidated since the implementation of the Action Plan notably, by setting
up a personalized guidance service for immigrants and developing a handbook for successful
integration.
Efforts have also been made to facilitate the recognition of diplomas, training and experience
acquired abroad. In 2004, a parliamentary group specifically addressed the issue of access to
regulated occupations and professions, which has been a barrier to integration. Furthermore, in
the wake of the Forum des générations (Generation Forum), a task force was mandated to follow
up on the group’s recommendations.
To support these services and initiatives, the government set up consultation groups involving
more recently established cultural communities that are experiencing integration difficulties in
varying degrees. Conceived in a spirit of consultation, it is an initiative that relies on partnership
to support these communities in their journey towards integration. Presently, these consultation
groups involve the communities from the Maghreb, Latin America and Bangladesh and are
developing, in some cases, specific action plans aimed at promoting their integration. Other
groups could be added in the future according to the needs expressed by the communities.
The challenges related to full social participation are of an entirely different order. They are faced
by Quebecers born here or from communities that have been here for several generations, who
feel that, because of their ethnic origin, among other things, their participation in the different
spheres of society is hampered. That is why the gov ernment has decided to address the issues
impacting numerous members of black communities in Québec who are neither newcomers nor
immigrants.
Thus citizens belonging to second- and third-generation black communities are full-fledged
Quebecers. However, despite having slightly higher than average educational levels, the black
communities have an unemployment rate of 17.1%, in comparison with 8.2% for the general
population. 3
In addition, the percentage of single-parent families is significantly higher than average in several
black communities. For example, among Caribbean-born immigrants, 30.1% of households are
single-parent families, versus 10.4% for the Canadian-born population. 4
3
Statistics Canada, 2001 Census.
4
Xavier Leloup (with the collaboration of Virginie Ferreira), Conditions de logements des ménages au Québec: une réalité
contrastée (Housing conditions of Québec households: a contrasted reality), INRS-Urbanisation, Culture et Société, 2005;
a study carried out for the Société d’habitation du Québec, the ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés
culturelles, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, City of Montréal, and the Centre interuniversitaire de Montréal sur
l’immigration, l’intégration et la dynamique urbai ne.
2

At 46.5% in 2001, compared to 23% for the population as a whole, the proportion of low-income
households in black communities is very high. 5
School drop out rates are also problematic among youth from black communities. Thus, for the
cohorts of 1994, 1995 and 1996, the graduation rate for black students was 51.8%, compared to
69% for the population as a whole. 6
This is why, for the first time (and therein lies its originality), this consultation document sets out
the challenges that will be addressed jointly by the government and by all the social actors. This
approach, based on respectful partnership with the cultural communities, will be favoured in any
future actions undertaken with other communities, irrespective of the solutions retained to
respond to their specific needs. Thus, by seeking to ensure the full participation in Québec
society of all the members of the cultural communities, this approach constitutes a powerful
antidote to communitarianism.
In addition, this initiative is part of a broader plan to support one of the priority objectives of
Madam Lise Thériault, Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, which is enshrined in
the fourth pillar of the 2004-2007 Action Plan − i.e. to fight racial discrimination. Moreover, in line
with Minister Thériault’s priority objective of fighting racial discrimination, as provided for by the
2004-2007 Action Plan, this initiative is now designed by the Ministry as part and parcel of a
broader plan.
To further the implementation of the government’s action priorities, a Task Force, made up of
four MNAs, will hold consultations to hear from the individuals and associations committed to
building an inclusive Québec and exploring together the best ways to attain this objective.
Such an initiative requires an open mind, a sense of social responsibility and creativity on the part
of each and every one of us. Although the consultation process focuses on problems in the black
communities, the discussions it will spark and the emerging solutions will be useful for all
Québec’s ethnocultural minorities. In short, Québec society as a whole will benefit.
This paper reviews documented situations and discusses strategic choices drawn from previous
research and experiments. It also proposes choices for each orientation, presenting relevant
findings, measures implemented and questions about future initiatives and actions. A statistical
portrait of Québec’s black communities is provided in Appendices 1 to 10.
The Task Force will hear all citizens and organizations, among which, those from the cultural
communities, interested in answering the questions set out in this document. Task Force
members include Tony Tomassi, MNA for LaFontaine, André Gabias, MNA for Trois-Rivières and
Éric R. Mercier, MNA for Charlesbourg. Yolande James, MNA for Nelligan and parliamentary
assistant to the Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, will serve as chair.
Individuals and organizations interested in participating in the consultation process have until
October 14, 2005 to return their registration form to the Task Force secretariat by fax at (514)
864-3629 or to the following address:
5 Idem
6 Marie McAndrew and Jacques Ledent, in collaboration with the ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport. 2004. La
réussite scolaire des jeunes Noirs au secondaire (The academic achievement of young blacks in high school), preliminary
report, 2004. This report focuses on students from Caribbean and Sub- Sahar an African communities who started high
school between 1994 and 1996.
3

Secrétariat du Groupe de travail sur la pleine participation
à la société québécoise des communautés noires
(Secretariat of Task Force on the Full Participation
of Black Communities in Québec Society)
Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles
360, rue McGill, bureau RC-09
Montréal (Québec) H2Y 2E9
Comments may also be sent directly to the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés
culturelles website at http://www.micc.gouv.qc.ca
Consultations will be held in the fall of 2005.
For any questions about the consultation process, please call ( 514) 864-3579 or toll free at
1 877 620-8600.
4

Findings and challenges
The challenges facing Québec’s black communities are sometimes attributed to their recent
immigration. According to this view, these problems will be resolved over time as new
generations become socialized in Québec. Since their diplomas will be recognized and young
people will be familiar with our institutions and culture, there will no longer be any obstacles to
their success.
In fact, the traditional success model referred to by such a view, while largely confirmed by the
experience of immigrants of European origin, is less valid for members of black communities,
whether they have been in Québec since the early 18th century , arriv ed in the 1970s or are
recent immigrants. Portes and Zhou suggest three sets of factors conducive to the success or
difficulties of immigrants. The integration of immigrants is conditioned by government
immigration policy, the host society’s favourable or hostile reception and the weakness or
strength, numerical and organizational, of earlier established communities. 7 The importance of a
well-established community is even greater when the reception by the host society is indifferent
or hostile and government support policies towards minorities is inexistent or inefficient. Also to
be taken into account is the real impact of prejudice and discrimination.
Portes and Zhous’ research explains many of the difficulties experienced by black communities in
Québec. For example, the low growth of Québec’s black population stems directly from
discriminatory Canadian immigration policies prior to 1967. The inherent racism of these policies,
which were no different than those of all Western countries at that time, severely limited the
admission of black populations into the country.
When Canadian immigration policy was amended to adopt strict non-discriminatory selection
criteria as to the colour or ethnic origin of immigration applicants, the black population in
Québec, particularly black Anglophones, was not only small but also often less educated. It was
therefore relatively ill equipped to achieve successful economic integration and facilitate the
integration of newcomers of the same origin.
Immigrant reception and integration programs were gradually adapted to the characteristics of
the new immigrants. For example, it took some time for education officials to realize that, unlike
the first wave of Haitian immigrants, most of the young Haitians who came to Québec in the
1970s were Creole rather than Francophone and needed the same reception classes and
francization services as other young Allophones.
Social reception also left something to be desired. Part of Québec society happily welcomed these
newcomers, while some continue to exhibit reservations or even a certain hostility. It is still
difficult today for members of the black communities, even educated members born in Québec,
to access networks that lead to stable and well-paid employment.
All these factors combined — the black communities’ numerical and organizational weakness, the
gradual development of government policies, and obstacles raised by persistently negative
attitudes on the part of some Quebecers — contributed to impeding the economic success of
black communities and their full participation in Québec society.
7
Alejandro Portes and Min Zhou, “The New Second Generation: Segme nted Assimilation and its Variants,” Annals,
AAAPSS, No. 530, pp. 74-96, 1993.
5

In light of the above, the following three strategic orientations are proposed to promote the full
participation of the black communities in Québec society: supporting economic success,
consolidating family structures and social support sy stems, and dev eloping social conditions for
success.
Initiatives must address all these factors simultaneously. Since earlier government and
community measures have not produced the expected results, Québec society must make a
concerted effort on a broader scale to offset the marginalization of certain groups within the
black communities. It must also meet the challenge of widening the scope of its actions in order
to involve that segment of Québec society that remains indifferent to the inequalities and
inequities experienced by these groups.
The stakes are high, for it is not only the fate of a small, marginalized group that is in question,
but also the development of new intervention models that will, over the long term, enable us to
reap the benefits of pluralism. To gain a better understanding of the groups involved and the
challenges confronting them, a brief portrait of Québec’s various black communities is presented
below.
Portrait of Québec’s black communities today
Québec’s black population is highly diversified in terms of ethnic origin, period of settlement,
sociodemographic composition, language skills and community organization. Some challenges,
like integration of newcomers, are therefore specific to particular communities or social groups. 8
Others, like discrimination, are common to all black communities.
Total black population
At the time of the 2001 census, the black population of Québec was enumerated at 152,200 or
2.1% of the total population. Of these, 62,250 people were born in Canada (41%), 82,845 were
immigrants ( 54%) and 7,100 (4.7 %) were non-permanent residents (Appendix 1). Within the 15
years and over age group, 26,995 members of the black communities were second generation or
beyond, representing 25% of this population (Appendix 2).
About 40% of the 82,845 immigrants enumerated in 2001 arrived in the decade preceding the
census, i.e. between 1991 and 2001 (Appendix 3). The challenging economic situation of the
early 1990s hindered the professional integration of many of these immigrants.
Age distribution
Québec’s black population is very young: 46.9% are under age 25, compared to 31.4% for the
general population (Appendix 4). Almost two-thirds is less than 35 years old (63.3%), versus
44.3% of the population as a whole. In all subsequent age groups, the black population is
relatively sparse. At 5.4%, the percentage of seniors is especially low, compared to 12.3% for
the total population.
8 The term “newcomers” applies to immigrants who have been in Québec less than five years. The term “immigrants”
refers to persons born abroad who immigrated to Québec regardless of the arrival period in Québec. These definitions,
intended to help diagnose potential problems linked to the immigration process, make no inferences as to the citizenship
of the immigrants, their integration or sense of belonging.
6

Geographical distribution
Like other immigrant groups, Québec’s black communities are concentrated in the metropolitan
Montréal area, with 92% or 139,305 people living in this region. Outside Montréal, black
populations are mainly concentrated in Québec City (3,640), Gatineau (3,310), Sherbrooke
(1,040) and Trois-Riv ières (515). Some 4,400 members of the black communities are scattered
across almost all the other regions in the province (Appendix 5). The situation of black
populations in the regions is not, unfortunately, well-documented.
Education and language skills
On the whole, the black population tends to be somewhat better educated than the average
population in Québec. Among persons from the black communities aged 15 years and over,
43.6% have some post-secondary education, a diploma from a trade school at a college level or
at a university level below the bachelor’s degree, compared to 37.1% for the population overall.
Some 14.7% have at least one university degree, versus 14% for all Quebecers (Appendices 6
and 7). Theoretically, the black population thus has a slight advantage on the labour market. It
has a similar advantage in terms of language skills since 42% is bilingual, compared to 40.8% for
the population as a whole (Appendix 8).
Economic characteristics
The black population rate of participation in the labour force (66%) is similar to that of the
general population (64.2%; Appendix 9). However, at 17.1% versus 8.2%, the unemployment
rate in the black population is twice that of the total population. Part-time and seasonal work is
also more prevalent, at 57.3% compared to 46.6% in the total population. The average income
in the black population is, therefore, relatively low at $19,451, against $27,125 for the overall
population. The percentage of low-income persons living with their families is 39.7%, relative to
14.6% for all Quebecers, while the overall percentage of low-income persons living alone is
64.2% in the black communities, versus 43.8% in the general population.
Birthplace of black immigrants
Black immigrants come predominantly from the Caribbean and Bermuda; some 62,000 people, or
74.4% of all black immigrants, were born in these regions (Appendix 10). Africans account for
the second largest group among immigrants at 17,090, or 20.6% of the overall black immigrant
population.
Groups from other areas are limited in number and represent secondary migration movements.
For example, many Anglophone West Indians first studied or lived in Great Britain, their former
colonial metropolis, before immigrating to Canada. Part of Québec’s black population was
therefore born in Europe, the Middle East or in Asia.
7

Major communities
Numbering 74,500, people from Haiti form the largest black community in Québec, followed by
those from Jamaica ( 10,600), Trinidad/Tobago (4,100) and Barbados (4,000). 9 With regard to
groups from Sub-Saharan Africa, 56% responded to the question on ethnic origin by checking
“Black African” or simply “Black.” Québec’s largest African community is from the Congo (3,800).
Migration pattern and integration conditions
At the present time, the groups from the Caribbean region are the most well known. Although
this document will not describe in detail the factors that influenced their social and economic
integration in Québec, it will discuss a number of elements that continue to play a role today.
Unfortunately, there is not enough information available on Sub-Saharan African immigrants to
build a coherent portrait of their situation.
A number of factors respecting immigrants’ migration patterns and social characteristics continue
to influence their integration and their children’s social and economic experiences.
The Haitian community developed from two waves of immigration. A first wave of well-educated
immigrants arrived between the late 1950s and the early 1970s. Some 3,600 Haitians, mainly
health and education professionals and students, came to Québec during this period. 10 These
immigrants had relatively few problems integrating into Québec society, especially since the
health and education fields were expanding at that time.
The second wav e of Haitian immigration, which began around 1970, was made up of less skilled
workers in the manufacturing and service industries. Economic conditions were much more
difficult for these more recent immigrants than they were for their predecessors. A number of
them were also less well equipped to integrate and help their children adapt to Québec society.
Since many of these Haitians spoke Creole rather than French, they lacked the necessary
language skills to facilitate their rapid integration. In a number of cases, they also experienced
family problems. Since their economic integration was particularly difficult, many families were
separated for several years, while the main income earner lived alone or with a spouse and
sponsored children at a later date.
The Anglophone West Indian population has a longer history of residency in Québec, going back
to the early 20th century. Beginning in 1955, many women came to Québec from Jamaica and
Barbados under the West Indian Domestic Scheme. According to accounts from that period, a
good number of them later moved to Toronto and Vancouver. 11 Succeeding waves of immigration
from this region also headed en masse for the Anglophone provinces where there were already
well-organized communities, particularly in Toronto, and where they could use their Englishlanguage
skills.
9
These statistics are derived from the census questions on ethnic origin. However , they should be interpreted with care.
Everyone from the Caribbean is not necessarily a member of a black community (e.g. Guya na, Cuba). Conversely, a
number of black persons could have reported their ethnic origin without identifying themselves as black. It is impossible
to arrive at a perfect match between data on ethnic origin and data on visible minorities.
10
Conseil des communautés culturelles et de l’immigration, L’immigration et le marché du travail — Un état de la question
(Immigration and the labour market — A review), Montréal, 1993.
11
D. Williams, D. W., Blacks in Montreal, 1628-1986: An Urban Demogr aphy , Cowansville: Editions Yvon Blais, 1989
8

Immigration movements increased substantially in the 1960s, when priority was given to the
most educated applicants. As of 1975, immigrant educational levels began to drop significantly 12
as the numbers of selected workers fell in favour of family reunification applicants. This trend
continues today. Youth educated in Québec are now more bilingual, but many of their elders are
still unilingual Anglophones. This explains why Anglophone West Indians in Québec tend to be
more isolated.
The communities from Sub-Saharan Africa are the least known. Many immigrants from Ghana,
the former Zaire, Somalia and Rwanda arriv ed in the 1990s following the political upheav als
sweeping the African continent. Under these circumstances, and given the difficult economic
situation in the early 1990s, it has been harder for these immigrants to achiev e economic
integration. Sub-Saharan African immigrants are, however, relatively young and well educated.
Many of them, in fact, immigrated after studying in Québec universities.
12 Uli Locher,“Les problèmes au statut doublement minoritaire : le cas des Antillais anglophones de Montréal,” (The
problems of double minority status: the case of Anglophone West Indians in Montreal) Anthropologie et sociétés, Vol. 8,
No. 2, 1984.
9

FIRST ORIENTA TIO N: SUPPORTING ECO NOMIC SUCCESS
Successful economic integration is the key factor to individual and community development. It
determines the ability of individuals to access the services they need, enjoy a good quality of life,
participate in social and political life and develop a sense of belonging to their environment.
A significant number of people from Québec’s black communities have trouble entering the
labour market, finding a job that corresponds to their qualifications or starting a business. These
challenges are numerous and vary from one community to the next. They include employability,
under-employment, recognition of professional qualifications, knowledge of the labour market
and the ability to build a useful network of professional contacts.
Economic diversification is also an important element. Communities that occupy varied positions
are less vulnerable to economic fluctuations. The presence of dynamic minority-owned
businesses promotes employment in minority communities because of their managers' greater
openness.
The labour market will continue to evolve in coming years as large numbers of workers leave the
work force. Immigrants and visible minorities must be able to take their place in the economy
and on the changing job market.
Two strategic choices can therefore be made to help black communities achieve economic
success. The first is to ensure their integration into the labour market; the second is to support
economic diversification through business development.
Strategic choice: Improve labour market integration
Findings
� At 17.1%, the unemployment rate in the black communities is twice that of the general
population.
� Some 57.3% of the black population has worked part-time or full-time part of the year,
compared to 46.6% for the overall population.
� The average income in the black communities is $19,451, versus $27,125 for the general
population, and the proportion of low-income families is more than twice the Québec
average.
These figures reflect a number of different realities.
Many Québec-born youth have little education and need specialized training or support initiatives
in the form of training periods or mentorship to develop their employability and achieve
employment integration. Young Anglophones from visible minorities can benefit from training that
includes a period of francization in the workplace.
10

While not a problem specific to black communities, obtaining recognition of diplomas and
professional experience acquired abroad is difficult for newcomers. In general, new immigrants
find it harder to access the job mark et today than their counterparts did in the early 1980s. 13
Their skills may need to be upgraded and they may require information about the labour market.
The difficulty of finding jobs that correspond to one’s qualifications and skills is not due to cyclical
v ariations. A 1998 study indicates that after two decades in Canada, the wages of most
immigrant groups, with the exception of black and Asian communities, had caught up with those
of the rest of the population. 14 Members of the black communities generally face prejudice and
direct and systemic discrimination when looking for employment.
In the 1990s, Québec began to set up equal access employment programs to eliminate systemic
barriers and remedy under-representation in employment, particularly in the public service, the
public sector (education, health, municipalities) and businesses awarded government contracts.
Analysis of relevant findings indicates that visible minorities have made some employment gains
in the private sector, sometimes even in periods of restructuring and downsizing. 15
Representation has remained stable in the public service, where in 2004, 2.5% of regular public
servants were members of the cultural communities, compared to 2% in 1996.
Measures
A number of large corporations have decided to take advantage of the potential offered by the
cultural communities, including the black communities. Analysis of these new practices shows
that minority employment gains depend first and foremost on a firm commitment from senior
management and the integration of this goal into the organization’s management. The
commitment to this goal must be permanent and planned. Recruitment practices are particularly
crucial. Small and medium-sized businesses are, however, lagging behind in this respect.
Black communities may also benefit from a number of programs and initiatives established to
improve employment integration for visible minorities. For example, Emploi-Québec is focusing
more specifically on immigrants and members of visible minorities attempting to enter or re-enter
the job market since these individuals are at risk of under-employment, long-term
unemployment, exclusion or poverty. According to preliminary statistics for 2004-2005, foreignborn
individuals account for close to 15% of new participants in Emploi-Québec’s initiatives and
activities. In Montréal, persons born abroad represent almost 40% of participants in active
programs. No data is available about the proportion of members of the black communities among
this clientele.
13
René Morissette and Garnett Picot, Low paid work and economically vulnerable families over the last two decades,
Business and Labour Market Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, 2005.
14
Dereck Hum and Wayne Simpson, Wa ge opportunities for visible minorities in Canada, Labour Dynamics Working
Paper Series, Statistics Canada, 1998.
15
Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, Les programmes d’accès à l’égalité au Québec
(Equal access programs in Québec), Bilan et perspectives, 1998.
11

Among other recent measures, from 1997 to 2000, the fund for visible minority youth (Fonds
pour les jeunes des minorités visibles) enabled 30 organizations to adapt their employment aid
and entrepreneurship tools to the specific needs of visible minority youth. An assessment of this
fund indicates that 69% of these organizations’ clientele was drawn from the black communities.
This program was taken over by the Fonds jeunesse Québec.
In 2004, the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, with the participation of the
Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, the Ministère de l’Immigration et des
Communautés culturelles and the City of Montreal, established Québec pluriel, a series of pilot
projects to facilitate the social and employment integration of 16 to 24 year olds from cultural
communities or visible minorities. The project is geared toward developing actions tailored to the
needs of the target youth and communities. Three of the seven job integration projects are
aimed particularly at young people from the black communities. Three other projects to
encourage young people to pursue their education and stay in school reached a majority of
young black community members.
In May 2005, the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles established a
program to encourage SMEs to hire immigrants and visible minorities (Programme d’aide à
l’intégration des immigrants et des minorités visibles en emploi - PRIIME). Developed and
managed by Emploi-Québec, this program will help members of visible minorities acquire work
experience in their field and thus improve their employability.
In addition, immigrant members of black communities can access a number of Emploi-Québec
programs adapted to their needs, including work integration training. They can also participate in
projects set up by the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles and its partners
to facilitate access to regulated trades and professions. These projects are just a few of the
initiatives presented in the Action Plan, Shared Values, Common Interests, released in May 2004.
Since the results have been fairly limited so far, other alternatives should be considered.
Questions
� How can we support people who need assistance to integrate the labour market?
� What projects should be developed and with which partners?
� How can we promote, in collaboration with various socioeconomic players, the integration of
members of the black communities in employment or business networks?
� What concrete steps should be taken to promote the representation of members of the black
communities in management and high-profile positions?
12

Strategic choice: Develop entrepreneurship
Findings
In Québec,
� few businesses are established by members of the black communities;
� the black communities lack an entrepreuneurial tradition;
� it is very difficult to start-up and finance new businesses; and
� business assistance network s are inadequate.
Studies show that the success of ethnic businesses depends on access to financial and human
resources and markets, entrepreneurial motivation and the effectiveness of the entrepreneurial
strategies implemented. The quality of the networks established is crucial to this success. 16
Knowledge of the market and management skills are also particularly important.
Entrepreneurship and self-employment are not very well developed in the black communities.
Their members are mainly shopkeepers and small service business owners whose clientele often
comes from their own community.
Immigrants who start up businesses frequently rely on the capital they manage to raise through
relatives and ethnic networks. 17 Because of the black communities’ economic problems, securing
funding for business start-ups within these communities can prove arduous. The lack of financial
guarantees also compromises financing through financial institutions.
The black population, especially immigrants, needs support in acquiring market knowledge and
management skills. Business management practices in a developing country are very different
from those prevalent in a modern and diversified society. Furthermore, to ensure their success,
members of black communities must break out of their social isolation and develop their
networks, both inside and outside their community.
Measures
From 1993 to 2002, the Mathieu Da Costa Business Dev elopment Corporation supported business
start-ups in the black communities. The corporation promoted business training, the development
of entrepreneurs’ business networks, the exchange of expertise and information among
businesses, financial institutions and other organizations operating in the business community, as
well as those involved in job creation for members of black communities.
16
G. A. Brenner et al, Entreprises ethniques et identité du partenariat : une étude comparative entre Chinois, Italiens et
Indiens/Sikhs au Canada (Ethnic businesses and partnership identity: a comparative study among Chinese, Italians and
Indians/Sik hs in Canada), Cahiers de recherche de la Chaire d’entrepreneurshi p Maclean Hunter, Hautes études
commerciales, Université de Montréal, 2002.
17
Denise Helly and Alberte Ledoye n, Immigrés et création d’entreprises : Montréal 1990 (Immigrants and business
creation: Montréal 1990) , Institut québécois de recherche sur la culture, Québec, 1994.
13

Questions
� What are the principal needs of members of black communities interested in starting up
a business or becoming self-employed?
� How can economic support networks be developed for the black communities, both within
these communities and within society as a whole?
� Are current resources adapted to these communities’ needs?
14

SECOND ORIE NTA T IO N: CO NS OLIDA TING FA MIL Y
STRUCTURES AND SOCIAL SUPPORT
Successful social integration rests on economic integration. Poverty, unemployment, poor
working conditions and lack of social support generate family tensions, which in turn can lead to
family break -ups and spousal or parental v iolence. It also has repercussions on the behav iour
and academic success of young people. The clusters of issues affecting the groups struggling
with these difficulties are often complex and acute.
In fact, because of their circumstances, parents of poor families are more isolated, have less
control over their living conditions and are more vulnerable to stress. For immigrants, especially
newcomers, this stress is exacerbated by their having to adjust to a different social and
institutional environment. Poor families are less able to cope and resolve the social problems that
accompany economic marginalization than families who have adequate financial resources and a
strong social support network. Challenges linked to poverty rather than to skin colour cannot,
however, be viewed in a vacuum. The situation as a whole must be considered in order to
respond to these challenges. How are the various realities of being black, poor, male, female or a
child experienced and what avenues should be explored?
The family environment also impacts on the quality of family relations and the social integration
of household members. Housing, particularly its cost, quality and appropriateness to family
needs, directly affects living conditions, stress in particular, intimacy, the availability of sufficient
room to do homework, etc. The social environment and the type and quality of the specific
resources available in the neighbourhood can also help families integrate socially.
To ensure the successful integration of black communities and immigrants, we must enhance
families’ ability to solve their problems by providing adequate support. Their most vulnerable
members, i.e. women and children, should be able to easily access programs developed for
them. In more general terms, they must be assured of adequate housing and living conditions.
Three strategic choices are proposed to help achieve these objectives. The first is to ensure the
social success of black youth; the second is to improve the integration of women and families;
and the third is to provide families with a residential environment conducive to family life.
Strategic choice: Ensure the social success of black youth
Findings
� The unemployment rate among youth from black communities is almost twice that of young
Quebecers as a whole and their incomes are lower.
� Many of these young people experience academic delay; the high-school graduation rate for
young blacks is 17% lower in the Francophone system and 10% lower in the Anglophone
system than it is for Québec students as a whole in those sectors. 18
� They are over-represented in Montréal youth centres, primarily due to social assistance
issues.
� A number of young people under age 18 are in youth centre rehabilitation units because of
their association with criminal groups.
18 Marie McAndrew and Jacques Ledent, op. cit.
15

Young people from black communities encounter particular difficulties on the labour market. The
unemployment rate for young blacks age 15 to 24 is 23.5%, compared to 13.2% for all young
people in the same age group.
Businesses’ lack of openness to y oung black s must be a factor here since ev en second-generation
college and university educated young people have more difficulty finding work than other young
Quebecers.
Other problems also affect a number of young people in these communities. For example, some
of them experience important academic delays that compromise their chances of earning a
diploma. These delays constitute an additional obstacle and and are a factor inducing lack of
motivation.
It is not easy for many young people to integrate into their school environment. They feel
excluded and discriminated against, both by their peers and by school staff.
Their parents’ lack of economic success can also sap young people’s motivation and add to their
conviction that education will not bring them the social mobility they desire. In addition, some
parents’ failure to integrate into Québec society both socially and economically undermines their
image as first positive role models and transmits a negative vision of the future to their children.
The difficult economic situation and, in the case of newcomers, the problems of adapting to their
new environment, create considerable stress for some parents and limit their availability and
ability to supervise, guide and support their children as they face problems at school or search
for employment.
In addition, some parents’ authoritarian views on education, which go against the values
promoted by Québec institutions, can create a generation clash since young people are also
socialized through the values imparted in school. This is another factor that can complicate
parent-child relations.
Social services are particularly active in the black communities to attempt to compensate for
some families’ inability to provide appropriate parental guidance. While these efforts are laudable
from a protection perspective, they reinforce young people’s perception that their parents are
incompetent and undermine their self-esteem, at least in relation to the rest of society.
For young people exposed to all these risk factors − academic delay, family communication
problems, poverty, and their parents’ difficult adaptation to Québec society − the situation is
especially complex and intervention becomes a sensitive issue. These young people seem to
think the solution lies in dropping out of school and hanging around with marginalized youth who
replace their families and give them a positive image of themselves. As a result, they make
temporary and precarious employment choices, which in turn broaden the gap between them
and the rest of the population and do not prepare them to play a positive role when they start
their own families. 19
19 La lutte au décrochage scolaire chez les jeunes issus de l’immigration : un suivi multidimensionnel accompagné de la
conscientisation et de la mobilisation de tous les acteurs (Preventing school drop out among immigrant youth: a
multidimensional review accompanied by conscious-raising and motivation for all players), Summary of the proceedings of
conference held on November 18, 2004. See Guy Drudi , Enjeux et réalité socio-scolaire des jeunes i sus de l’immigration
(Socioacademic challenges and realities facing immigrant youth), pp. 20-29.
16

Young people will soon have to fill the positions left vacant by the massive retirement of the
baby-boomer generation. Yet many youth from black communities have to contend with a
number of very real handicaps owing to employers’ lack of openness towards them, their ensuing
loss of interest in pursuing an education, a problem aggravated in many cases by family
problems tied to poverty. They could become another lost generation. This situation is even more
worrying given that young people under age 25 account for almost half of the black population.
It is imperative to quickly put an end to the dynamic of exclusion penalizing many of these young
people, and to ensure that they have access to the same opportunities as other young
Quebecers, so that the whole of society can tap into this increasingly indispensable labour pool.
Measures
In 2004, to promote the harmonious integration of members of cultural communities, the
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux set up a provincial committee to provide services to
these communities. The committee addressed the need to adapt health and social services to
Québec’s diverse cultural elements, including the black communities.
A number of initiatives for young people have already been implemented. The Centre jeunesse
de Montréal produced a practitioners’ kit containing tools to help practitioners understand their
clientele, together with tools specifically designed for this clientele. The Centre also established
and supports a committee for the prevention of intrafamily violence (Comité de prévention de la
violence intrafamiliale), which brings together stakeholders and representatives from the Haitian
community, a major clientele in the Montréal region. Partnership with community organizations
also led to the development of a number of programs, including a program on parenting skills
and corporal punishment.
Following Marie McAndrew’s research on academic achievement among young blacks, carried out
in collaboration with the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, the Ministry informed
stakeholders in the Montréal school system and initiated a dialogue with them and with black
Francophone and Anglophone communities to identify possible avenues for improvement.
Questions:
� What steps should be taken to give young people from the black communities genuine
opportunities to succeed academically and develop the skills they need for successful
economic integration?
� What can be done to promote communication between young people and their families?
� What can be done to ensure young people are better integrated in youth social, economic
and cultural networks?
� What steps can be taken to deter delinquency and criminal behaviour among black youth?
17

Strategic choice: Improve the social integration of women and
families
Findings
� Almost one-third of families of Caribbean origin are single-parent families.
� Black women raising their children alone often live in poverty and have little support.
� Many women in the black communities are subject to physical and psychological violence.
Poverty is more prevalent among black women than amid other women in Québec; their average
income is only $17,960, compared to $21,286 for Québec women as a whole. The average
income for all Quebecers of both genders is $27,125. Furthermore, the unemployment rate is
16.9% for women in the black communities, versus 7.7% for Québec women in general.
Although available data does not provide details about income distribution by family, it does show
that, while for the population as a whole, 14.6% of persons living with relatives belong to lowincome
families, among black persons, this percentage rises to 40%. This situation may be partly
explained by the large numbers of single-parent families whose main income earner is female, as
is the case, for example, for 88.7% of families of Caribbean origin, compared to 77% for
individuals born in Canada. 20
Women often hold the most precarious and lowest-paying jobs and find themselves marginalized.
Some have to hold down several jobs to support their families. Because they invest so much time
and energy in surviving economically and looking after their families, they have very little contact
with Québec institutions and are unfamiliar with the services they offer. 21
Measures
The studies on the situation of women from black communities are few and do not allow an indepth
analysis of the various discriminations they encounter. Beyond noting that they experience
prejudice as women and as blacks and, for part of them, because they are poor single-parent
women or immigrants, the manifestations and impact on their life of these compounded forms of
discrimination remain difficult to verify.
The Government of Québec has prepared an intervention policy and action plan on spousal
violence that provides support for victims of violence. Women from black communities may also
benefit from this support.
20
Xavier Leloup, op cit.
21
Maud Pontel, Femmes noires et alors? Des Québécoises d’origine haitienne disent la violence (Black women and so
what? Québec women of Haitian origin talk about violence), Bureau de la communauté haitienne de Montréal et Service
au collectivités de l’Université du Québec à Montréal, 2004.
18

Questions
� What initiatives are likely to strengthen the family fabric?
� What measures could improve women’s economic situation?
� What support measures could promote the integration of women from black communities
into society as a whole?
Strategic choices: Provide families with a residential environment
conducive to family life
Findings
� The percentage of low-income black households is double that of the Québec population as a
whole.
� Over one-third of black households of Caribbean origin (36.2%) must spend more than 30%
of their income on housing, compared to 22% for the general population.
Available housing data clearly reflects the economic difficulties experienced by certain black
communities. Only 33.8% of households of Caribbean origin and 26.6% of Sub-Saharan African
households own their own home, compared to 59.2% for Canadian-born households. 22
Some 43% of households of Sub-Saharan origin and 42.8% of those of Caribbean origin are lowincome,
versus 22.8% for Québec households overall. These figures are partially explained by the
recency of immigration from Sub-Saharan Africa and the large percentage of female single-parent
families among populations of Caribbean origin.
It is thus no surprise that households in black communities devote a large portion of their income
to housing: over 50% for 17.3% of Caribbean households and 25.1% of Sub-Saharan African
households, compared to 10.3% for Québec households as a whole.
The quality of the dwellings occupied by black households is inferior to that of the housing units
inhabited by the rest of the population. Hence, of all housing units in Québec, 7.7% are in need
of major repairs while 26.2% require minor repairs. These percentages, however, jump to 11%
and 31.6% when only the dwellings occupied by members of the black communities are
considered. 23 This in turn impacts on their quality of life.
There is still significant discrimination on the housing market, especially on the part of small
landlords. In 1998, a study by the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la
jeunesse testing landlords’ behav iour in situ found that one-third of black Francophones and 15%
of black Anglophones had been victims of overt discrimination when looking for housing. There is
no indication that the situation has improved. In all likelihood, the present housing shortage
exacerbates housing problems for black households, especially for single parents or large
families, which are vulnerable by reason of income and family circumstances.
22 Unless otherwise indicated, all the data in this section is from the above-mentioned study by Xavier Leloup.
23 Xavier Leloup, op.cit, p.130. Special Compilation, Census of Canada, 2001, Statistics Canada, for the Société
d’habitation du Québec, calculations and presentation by Xavier Leloup.
19

Measures
As a result of these difficulties, many black households live in social and low-rent housing. The
City of Montréal has established various community development projects to promote the
integration of immigrants and encourage them to participate in neighbourhood life. These
projects have not proven to be very successful. People who live in severe poverty and have to
cope with difficult family relations, with all the accompanying social problems, do not participate
much in community life and seldom use the resources available to them.
Questions:
� What steps can be taken to improve housing conditions?
� Which community or institutional resources can provide appropriate social support to families
and foster a residential environment conducive to family life?
20

THIRD OR IENTA TIO N: DEVEL OPING SOC IA L COND ITIO NS FOR
SUCCESS
The successful integration of black communities depends on the positive reception and support
they receive from the general public, as well as from public, private and community institutions.
Prejudice and discrimination are major obstacles not only to these communities’ successful
integration, but also to their active and dynamic participation in Québec society. The support of
all private, public and community organizations will be required to eliminate these barriers.
Unfortunately, Québec society’s welcome and support are not a given. While some Quebecers are
open to these communities and to cultural communities in general, others continue to maintain
negative attitudes, seeing black community members, even in the second and third generation,
as immigrants who have contributed little to Québec.
Attitudes towards blacks are still too often characterized by distanciation, exclusion, distrust or
ev en rejection. For some, this distrust serv es as an excuse for practices lik e the undue
surveillance of members of these communities in stores and public areas. Discrimination and
rejection permeate all aspects of life, such as work, housing, services, and so on.
Not all Quebecers are prejudiced or react negatively to black communities. Nor are all members
of these communities affected in the same way. More educated individuals, who belong to social
and economic networks with a certain level of economic, professional and social authority, are
less likely to be affected by base prejudices and direct discrimination. However, the impact on
the more vulnerable social strata of the black population — those that are poor, have little
education and are marginalized — can be dramatic. Prejudice and discrimination compound their
marginalization, making them less and less able to solve their problems. They do not trust the
institutions mandated to support them and tend to rely only on their own community, thereby
narrowing their frame of reference. In some instances, they may even internalize the negative
image they perceive in the eyes of their fellow citizens.
The following three strategic choices are set forth as topics for consideration: raise public
awareness of the black communities’ contribution to the development of Québec; promote the
exercise of their rights and effectively fight discrimination; and increase black communities’
participation in Québec community life.
21

Strategic choice: Raise public awareness of the black
communities’ situation and their contribution to the development
of Québec
Findings
� The teaching of history largely ignores the contribution of the black population to the
settlement and development of Québec.
� Accordingly, members of black communities, even those who were born in Québec, are
primarily viewed as immigrants.
� There is no social recognition of the contribution black communities have made to the
development of Québec.
Québec’s black communities are generally perceived as immigrants with no relation to Québec
history and culture. This view was shaped by several factors. Although the black population has
contributed to the development of several regions of Québec, it generally chose to settle in the
Montréal area. Since many Quebecers never meet members of the black communities in their
immediate environment, their perception is largely forged by the media. The news focuses on
wars and the extreme poverty of black populations in developing countries, while some American
movies project a negative image of black minorities in the US.
The relative importance of Caribbean or African immigrants among the black population, together
with the exclusion of blacks from history books, supports this mistaken impression that all blacks
are immigrants.
Even when members of black communities are born in Québec and publicly affirm their sense of
belonging to their birthplace, attitudes among the population as a whole do not necessarily
change. Some people continue to be xenophobic and keep their distance from “immigrants.” 24
This distance remains significant even for young people socialized in Québec, as evidenced by
their forming circles of friends based on ethnic origin. And these barriers can persist right up to
adulthood. 25 The solidarity felt by mainstream Quebecers does not necessarily extend to the
black communities because of the perceived cultural distance between them and a mutual lack of
understanding. These attitudes deprive society of the potential and the social and cultural assets
the black communities can offer.
24
Denise Helly and Nicolas Van Schendel, Appartenir au Québec — Citoyenneté, nation et société civile (Belonging to
Québec — Citizenship, nation and civil society), Presses de l’Université Laval et Institut québécois de recherche sur la
culture, 2001.
25
M. Labelle, D. Salée and Y. Frenette, Incorporation citoyenne et/ou exclusion? La deuxième gé nération issue de
l’immigration haïtienne et jamaïcaine (Citizen incorporation and/or exclusion? Second-generation Haitian and Jamaican
immigrants), Centre de recherche sur l’immigration, l’ethnicité et la citoyenneté, Univ ersité du Québec à Montréal,
publishe d by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, 2001; Anne Laperrière , “Dé passer le racisme? L’expérience
contrastée de jeunes Montréalais d’origine haïtienne,” (Beyond racism? The contrasted experience of young Montrealers
of Haitian origin),” Revue européenne des migrations internationales, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp.121-139, 1998.
22

These perceptions of social and cultural distance and exclusionary behaviours also prevent some
members of the black communities from forging a sense of belonging to Québec, especially those
who are more likely to be excluded and marginalized and who have little hope that their lives will
improve. Young victims of exclusion, in particular, are more enclined to recognize themselves in
the negative role models presented in the American media, often to the despair of their parents.
This situation, however, is not immutable. A number of black public personalities, singers,
writers, TV hosts, athletes and stand-up comedians, have become an integral part of the Québec
cultural landscape and serve as models for all young Quebecers. In fact, they have become such
familiar faces that many people no longer pay any attention to their origin or colour. In time,
more and more people may come to minimize difference and see what we have in common.
Nonetheless, we must create opportunities for mutual understanding and intercultural contacts
and be committed to developing positive relations.
Measures
Certain events, like Black History Month, showcase the contributions blacks have made to Québec
society. The program supporting civic and intercultural relations set up by the Ministère de
l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles has funded various projects to inform and raise the
general public’s awareness about the experiences of black communities in Québec. Other projects
aim at informing members of the black immigrant communities about Québec’s values and
realities.
In 1995, the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications and the City of Montreal dev eloped
an intercultural program, geared towards professional artists and audience development rather
than festivals or community activities.
That same year, the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, in conjunction with the
Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles, prepared ‘La présence des Noirs dans
la société québécoise d’hier et aujourd’hui’, a document on past and present black communities
in Québec, which was widely distributed in schools. As part of its integration and intercultural
education policy, the Ministry also supports various projects promoting communication,
intercultural contacts and meetings between youth of different origins.
Questions
� What are some promising solutions to promote better knowledge of Québec’s black
communities and help forge closer ties between them and other Quebecers?
� What initiatives would foster better collaboration on common projects to develop a feeling of
solidarity among all Quebecers?
� What actions or activities should be instituted to better inform the public about the black
communities’ assets and contributions to Québec society?
23

Strategic choice: Promote the exercise of rights and effectively
fight discrimination
Findings
� Discrimination is prevalent in all spheres of everyday life.
� It prevents black communities from fully enjoying their rights and freedoms like other
citizens.
� It generates feelings of victimization among black communities.
Prejudice and discrimination can be present in all spheres of everyday life. While discrimination
can be conscious and deliberate, it frequently stems from habits or practices that people do not
realize are unfair and discriminatory.
Discrimination can be expressed in the form of repeated offensive remarks or tasteless jokes that
hav e the same impact as psy chological harassment. Howev er, sy stemic discrimination enshrined
in institutional practices has ev en more serious social consequences since it prev ents citizens of
black communities from receiving fair treatment in terms of services.
Criticism has been levelled at the police for its use of racial profiling, i.e. targeting a specific
group for surveillance or questioning based on the belief that this group is more likely to be
engaged in delinquent or criminal behaviour. In addition, a number of young people have
complained of similar attitudes among bus drivers and department store security guards.
Some teachers have also been accused of more or less overt discrimination, particularly towards
their weakest students. 26 In point of fact, there are numerous examples of prejudice and
insidious discrimination that affect the quality of life among black communities.
Feeling victimized and excluded, many people in the black communities withdraw from social,
community and political life and fall back on their community of origin. Such a situation can only
cripple the social and democratic life of these communities and that of Québec society as a
whole.
Measures
Various social play ers hav e made substantial efforts to remedy this situation. For example,
government and community partners are working together to find solutions within the task force
on racial profiling, co-chaired by the Ministère de la Sécurité publique and the Ministère de
l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles. Each year, events such as Action Week Against
Racism, are organized to raise public awareness. For many y ears now, the Ministry has also been
supporting projects to combat racism and discrimination through its civic and intercultural
relations program (Programme d’appui aux relations civiques et interculturelles).
26 Anne Laperrière , op. cit.
24

Under the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the Commission des droits de la personne et
des droits de la jeunesse du Québec is mandated to inv estigate cases of discrimination or
harassment based on colour or ethnic origin and to take appropriate action to remedy the
situation. To this effect, the Commission may negotiate a settlement, refer the dispute to
arbitration or apply to the Human Rights Tribunal. In 2003-2004, the Commission received 183
new cases of discrimination or harassment based on race, colour, ethnic or national origin. 27
However, evidence suggests that this is merely the tip of the iceberg and that most victims of
human rights violations do not file a complaint.
Questions
� What interesting initiatives in your milieu could be adopted by other private or public
community organizations?
� What type of initiative or project is currently lacking to effectively fight prejudice and
discrimination?
� Are the existing remedies for fighting discrimination effective. If so, could they be used to
more advantage? If not, why not?
� What are some support measures that could assist v ictims of discrimination?
27 Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, Rapport d’activités et de gestion 2003-2004.
25

Strategic choice: Promote a better participation of black
communities in Québec community life
Findings
� Black communities do not sufficiently participate in social, community and political life in
Québec.
� Some groups lack the requisite knowledge and skills to play a positive social role.
� A number of civil society organizations have not made an effort to integrate members of
ethnocultural communities, including black communities, in their organization.
Some organizations are indifferent to the experiences of vulnerable members of the black
communities and tend to leave the search for solutions to the communities themselves. Others
have made an effort to integrate their black fellow citizens and take their situation and particular
problems into account in their policy directions and practices.
Opinions vary as to how to encourage black communities’ participation in organizations involved
in developing solutions to their problems, as well as in more general discussions and initiatives
that shape Québec’s economic and social development and affect the future of all its citizens.
Some members of black communities, who have had unpleasant experiences with public,
community or private institutions, suggest that the communities themselves handle any problems
and consolidate their community structures.
Many individuals and organizations outside the community reject this option, which they believe
would contribute to marginalizing the black communities further if it became widespread. Some
even refuse to invite “ethnic” organizations to their consultation tables on the grounds that only
inclusive approaches should be developed. 28
According to researchers and observers, experience in Québec and elsewhere tends to support
both approaches, as long as they lead to positive actions that could improve the integration of
members of ethnocultural communities.
Thus, to enable black communities to play a more dynamic role, efforts should be concentrated
on helping them develop organizational skills and effectively interact with outside organizations.
Public, community and private organizations should also be encouraged to develop or consolidate
partnerships with black community organizations with the objective of working together to tap
into the potential of all Quebecers.
There are already numerous instances of this kind of collaboration in Québec. Perhaps what is
needed now is to share and discuss these experiences in order to find ways to improve our
initiatives and actions.
28 Annick Germain, Paper presented at the conference, The Opportunity and Challenge of Diversity: A Role for social
Capital?, organized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Policy Research
Initiative of the Government of Canada, Montréal, Novem ber 23 to 25, 2003.
26

Measures
The above-mentioned civic and intercultural relations program (Programme d’appui aux relations
civiques et interculturelles) supports training for members of cultural communities to help them
better understand Québec institutions and values. This program helps immigrants more
effectively integrate into Québec society and promotes the greater participation of cultural
communities.
Questions
� What specific needs of black communities are public, private and community institutions least
aware of?
� What actions could the government take to promote the services and programs intended to
respond to black communities’ needs?
� Are black communities sufficiently familiar with government programs and services to use
them effectively?
� What initiatives could serve as models and breathe new life into existing organizations?
� What can be done to improve the integration of members of black communities into
influential economic, social and cultural networks so that Québec society can benefit from
their experience and their commitment to working for the common good?
� What initiatives or actions could be taken to develop the empowerment of black
communities?
27

The Full Participation
of Black Communities
in Québec Society
Appendices

APPENDIX 1
Black communities in Québec
Distribution by immigrant status and place of birth
Number
% of
black
population
Non-immigrants 62,250 40.9%
Born in Québec 59,285 39.0%
Born elsewhere in Canada 2,970 2.0%
Immigrants 82,845 54.4%
United States 1,015 0.7%
Central and South America 1,405 0.9%
Caribbean and Bermuda 61,645 40.5%
Europe 1,430 0.9%
United Kingdom 320 0.2%
Northern and Western Europe 915 0.6%
Eastern Europe 85 0.1%
Southern Europe 115 0.1%
Africa 17,090 11.2%
Asia 185 0.1%
West Central Asia and the Middle East 55 0.0%
Eastern Asia 30 0.0%
Southeast Asia 25 0.0%
Southern Asia 70 0.0%
Oceania and other 80 0.1%
Non-permanent residents 7,100 4.7%
Total population 152,195 100.0%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 97FOO10XCB2001044
30
54.4%
4.7%
40.9%
N o n-Immigrants
Im migrants
N o n-P erm anent Residents

APPENDIX 2
Black communities in Québec
Total population 15 years of age and older by generation
status
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 97FOO10XCB2001044
APPENDIX 3
75.3%
12.0%
20.0%
Black communities in Québec
Black immigrants by period of immigration
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
6.4%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 97FOO10XCB2001044
4.8%
Black C om m unities
Total Population
81.6%
First G eneration Second Generation T hird G eneration and B eyo nd
8.9%
26.2%
24.9%
40.0%
Before 1970 1971-1980 1981-1990 1991-2001
31

APPENDIX 4
Black communities in Québec
Distribution by age group
A ge group Black population Total population
Number % Number %
Under15 years 43,060 28.3% 1,293,230 18.1%
15-24 years 28,375 18.6% 945,615 13.3%
25-34 years 24,885 16.4% 916,640 12.9%
35-44 years 20,525 13.5% 1,236,450 17.4%
45-54 years 16,810 11.0% 1,102,190 15.5%
55-64 years 10,300 6.8% 753,400 10.6%
65 years and over 8,240 5.4% 878,060 12.3%
Total 152,195 7,125,580
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 95FO363XCB2001004
APPENDIX 5
Black communities in Québec
Distribution by census metropolitan area
Census metropolitan area Number Percentage
Gatineau 3,310 2.2%
Montréal 139,305 91.5%
Québec 3,640 2.4%
Sherbrooke 1,040 0.7%
Trois-Rivières 515 0.3%
Black population in rest of territory 4,385 2.9%
Total black population 152,195 100.0%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 97FOO10XCB2001002
32

APPENDIX 6
Black communities in Québec
Tot al populat ion 15 years and over by highest level of
schooling
Black communities Total population
Number % Number %
Total population 15 years and over 109,140 5,832,350
Less than high school graduation
certificate
32,115 29.4% 1,848,930 31.7%
High school graduation certificate only 13,405 12.3% 999,205 17.1%
Some postsecondary education 15,080 13.8% 504,360 8.6%
Trades certificate or diploma 10,800 9.9% 629,355 10.8%
College certificate or diploma 17,115 15.7% 847,675 14.5%
University certificate or diploma below
bachelor’s degree
4,550 4.2% 188,665 3.2%
University degree: 16,075 14.7% 814,155 14.0%
Bachelor’s degree 10,155 9.3% 561,135 9.6%
University certificate or diploma
above bachelor’s degree
1,600 1.5% 81,205 1.4%
Master’s degree 3,290 3.0% 144,475 2.5%
Earned doctorate 1,030 0.9% 27,340 0.5%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 97FOO10XCB2001045
33

APPENDIX 7
Black communities in Québec
Tot al populat ion 15 years and over by major field of st udy
Black communities Total population
Number % Number %
Total population 15 years and over 109,140 5,832,350
No postsecondary qualifications 60,600 55.5% 3,352,490 57.5%
Educational, recreational and counselling
serv ices
3,670 3.4% 262,210 4.5%
Fine and applied arts 2,405 2.2% 153,160 2.6%
Humanities and related fields 3,435 3.1% 192,985 3.3%
Social sciences and related fields 6,525 6.0% 232,930 4.0%
Commerce, management, and business
administration
10,770 9.9% 570,290 9.8%
Agricultural, biological, nutritional and food
sciences
2,525 2.3% 126,860 2.2%
Engineering and applied sciences 2,005 1.8% 102,260 1.8%
Applied science technologies and trades 7,205 6.6% 502,555 8.6%
Health professions and related technologies 7,330 6.7% 234,025 4.0%
Mathematics, computer and physical sciences 2,395 2.2% 91,250 1.6%
No specialization 280 0.3% 11,340 0.2%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 97FOO10XCB2001045
34

APPENDIX 8
Black communities in Québec
Knowledge of official languages
60%
40%
20%
0%
13.9%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 97FOO10XCB2001044
APPENDIX 9
4.6%
42.9%
53.8%
Black communities in Québec
Economic characteristics (population 15 years and over)
Black communities Total population
Number % Number %
Total population 15 years and over 109,140 5,832,350
In the labour force 72,085 66.0% 3,742,485 64.2%
Employed 59,780 54.8% 3,434,265 58.9%
Unemployed 12,305 17.1% 308,220 8.2%
Worked full year full time ( 2000) 29,665 42.7% 2,035,000 53.4%
Worked part year (2000) full or part time 39,840 57.3% 1,778,090 46.6%
Population 15 years and over without income 10,845 9.9% 326,105 5.6%
Population 15 years and over with income 98,290 90.1% 5,506,245 94.4%
Average income ($) 19,451 27,125
Median income ($) 15,036 20,665
Low-income persons living with families* 52,120 39.7% 872,340 14.6%
**Low income persons living alone 19,940 64.2% 473,145 43.8%
* These are nuclear or extended families.
** These are persons who do not live with family members. They may have their own dw elling, be lodgers or
cohabit.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 97FOO10XCB2001046 et 97FOO10XCB2001047
42.0%
40.8%
Black C om m unities
Total Population
1.2%
0.8%
English only French only English and French N either English nor
French
35

APPENDIX 10
Black communities in Québec
Place of birth of black immigrants
Place of birth Number %
United States 1,015 1.2%
Central and South America 1,405 1.7%
Caribbean and Bermuda 61,645 74.4%
Europe 1,430 1.7%
United Kingdom 320 0.4%
Northern and Western Europe 915 1.1%
Eastern Europe 85 0.1%
Southern Europe 115 0.1%
Africa 17,090 20.6%
Asia 185 0.2%
West Central Asia and the Middle East 55 0.1%
Eastern Asia 30 0.0%
Southeast Asia 25 0.0%
Southern Asia 70 0.1%
Oceania and other 80 0.1%
Total Black immigrants 82,845 100.0%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census, 97FOO10XCB2001044
36

The Full Participation
of Black Communities
in Québec Society
Appendices 11 and 12
Registration forms

Name:
Title (where applicable):
Age:
Mailing address:
E-mail address:
Telephone No.:
Please check the orientations and strategic choices that you would like to respond to:
FIRST ORIENTATION: SUPPORTING ECONOMIC SUCCESS
Strategic choices
Improve labour market integration
Develop entrepreneurship
SECOND ORIENTATION: CONSOLIDATING FAMILY STRUCTURES AND SOCIAL SUPPORT
Strategic choices
Ensure the social success of black youth
Improve the social integration of women and families
Provide families with a residential environment conducive to family life
THIRD ORIENTATION: DEVELOPING SOCIAL CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS
Strategic choices
Raise public awareness of the black communities’ situation and their contribution to the development of
Québec
Promote the exercise of rights and effectively fight discrimination
Promote a better participation of black communities in Québec community life
Please send this form, no later than October 14, 2005, by fax at (514) 864-3629 or to the following address:
Secrétariat du Groupe de travail sur la pleine participation
à la société québécoise des communautés noires
Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles
360, rue McGill, bureau RC-09
Montréal (Québec) H2Y 2E9
* For questions about the consultation process, please call (514) 864-3576 or toll free at 1 877 620-8600.
Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles
Consultation on the Full Participation of Black Communities in Québec Society
Registration form for individuals*

Name of representative:
Title (where applicable):
Organization name:
Organization mailing address:
Organization e-mail address:
Organization telephone No.:
Area of activity of organization:
Please check the orientations and strategic choices that you would like to respond to:
FIRST ORIENTATION: SUPPORTING ECONOMIC SUCCESS
Strategic choices
Improve labour market integration
Develop entrepreneurship
SECOND ORIENTATION: CONSOLIDATING FAMILY STRUCTURES AND SOCIAL SUPPORT
Strategic choices
Ensure the social success of black youth
Improve the social integration of women and families
Provide families with a residential environment conducive to family life
THIRD ORIENTATION: DEVELOPING SOCIAL CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS
Strategic choices
Raise public awareness of the black communities’ situation and their contribution to the development of
Québec
Promote the exercise of rights and effectively fight discrimination
Promote a better participation of black communities in Québec community life
Please send this form, no later than October 14, 2005, by fax at (514) 864-3629 or to the following address:
Secrétariat du Groupe de travail sur la pleine participation
à la société québécoise des communautés noires
Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles
360, rue McGill, bureau RC-09
Montréal (Québec) H2Y 2E9
* For questions about the consultation process, please call (514) 864-3576 or toll free at 1 877 620-8600.
Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles
Consultation on the Full Participation of Black Communities in Québec Society
Registration form for organization representatives*